The boy was told he could claim "former child payments" from the council until he reached 21.

Although there are relatively quick ways of establishing the age of an individual - through dental records - these are not allowed on ethical grounds.

A Croydon Council spokesman declined to comment on the particulars of the case, as it is still ongoing, but said there are "obvious reasons for trying to ensure adults are not placed in the midst of children."

Croydon is home to the UK's only walk-in asylum centre, which is run by the UKBA.